Earlier this month, which happens to be National Bullying Prevention Month, I have shared my own personal and very candid experience with bullying, and got quite a number responses to it, including a Staten Island-based filmmaker/rapper, JiggyJada who created the film called The Bully. Here is my interview with her:

JGIC:What inspired
you to make this film?

JJ: Actually, I wrote a song for a charity show that
was speaking against bullying. When my management and myself discussed
doing a video, the idea for a short film came to us.

JGIC:Is this your
first movie? If no, what other films have you worked on?

JJ: Yes. This is my first movie. I am looking forward to do
doing more films in the near future.

JGIC:Are the actors
in the film real people with in real situations, or are they actors?

JJ: They are actors. Some of them, it was their first
time doing a film. Many had experienced bullying in some way in their lives;
whether personally or a family member or friend.

JGIC: How long did it
take to make Stop Bullying Project?

JJ: The amazing
thing is, the entire Stop Bullying Project—from inception to completion—was six
months. But the actual filming time was two weeks.

JGIC: Can you give
Jamsterdam readers a breakdown of what to expect when watching it?

JJ: The Bullytells the tale
of a Muslim girl, “Erika”, who starts a new school and finds herself the victim
of relentless bullying. She finds allies and salvation in unexpected
places.The Bullytackles not
only the issues bullying, but that of racism, religion and sexuality. It is a
story of intolerance, but also a story of kindness, forgiveness, and
redemption.

JGIC: What city are
you based out of? Is there a lot of bullying going on in schools there?

JJ: I am based out
of Staten Island, New York. There have been quite a few incidents of
bullying in the schools here. We are trying to reach out to them, as well.

JGIC: If you were in
charge of the education system and their moral codes, what changes would you
want to make to help ensure the students are looking out for each other, as
opposed to picking on each other?

JJ: Wow. That’s an
excellent question. If I were in charge of the education system and moral
codes, I would definitely change the way in which we handle complaints of
bullying. As of now, the education system seems to be failing the victims
and rewarding the bullies, in the sense that they do not immediately
address the complaint. I would definitely make it a policy to make it a
direct violation for any form of bullying to take place. I would put in place
mandatory mediation, and counseling where parents of the victim and the
bully must come together and help resolve the issues at hand. I would also
want to have some kind of protocol in place, that if other students
are witness to an act of bullying, that they are expected to report
it. Often times, other students will see the bullying but not step in because
of fear of retaliation,or they just don’t want to get involved. Accountability
must be in place for all students.

JGIC: I couldn't agree more. What do you
hope people learn from this film?

JJ: I hope that
people would learn that we all can do something to help put an end to
bullying. I would hope that the viewers would have more compassion for those
who are different from who they are. More understanding for the way in which
one chooses to to live their lives. And, hopefully, if someone is a bully, that
they would see themselves in this film, and decide to make a change in their
life.

JGIC: Any shout outs?

JJ: I would love to
shout out my family and friends that have been with me from the beginning. To
my mother and partner at Mynding My Own Bizness. I thank her for
believing in me, and pushing me, and helping me to navigate through some pretty
choppy waters. I also want to shout out anyone who has been a victim of
bullying. Hold your head up, be strong, and know that you are meant for
greatness.